India seeks to transfer accused diplomat to U.N., but needs U.S. approval

UNITED NATIONS The United Nations says
it has processed the Indian
government's request to register the country's deputy consul general, who is
accused of lying on a visa form about how much she paid her housekeeper, as a
member of the country's mission to the United Nations.

But the U.N. spokesman's office said
Monday the U.S. State Department must approve the transfer of Devyani
Khobragade from her consulate post to India's U.N. Mission.

The Indian
government reportedly sought to transfer Khobragade to the U.N. Mission because
diplomats there have greater
immunity.

Khobragade, who was arrested outside
her daughter's school, complained that she was strip-searched and held in a
cell "with drug addicts" until her appearance before a judge.

U.S. prosecutors say Khobragade lied
on a visa form about how much she paid her housekeeper and actually paid her
around $3 per hour. She has pleaded not guilty to charges she submitted false
documents to obtain a visa for the Indian
housekeeper.

The U.N. spokesman's office said it
received a letter from India's U.N. Ambassador Asoke Mukerji requesting
Khobragade's registration as a member of India's U.N. Mission on Dec. 18 and it
was processed on Dec. 20.

Khobragade could face a maximum
sentence of 10 years for visa fraud and five years for making a false
declaration if convicted. She has said she has full diplomatic
immunity. The State Department disputes that, saying her immunity is limited to
acts performed in the exercise of consular functions.